Iranian lawmakers condemn protests; call for execution of leaders

Tehran, Iran (CNN) — Iranian lawmakers denounced Monday’s protests in Tehran and called for the execution of two opposition leaders for inciting the demonstrations, Iran’s state-run Press TV reported Tuesday.
Members of the Iranian parliament issued fiery chants against opposition leaders and former presidential candidates Mehdi Karrubi and Mir Hossein Moussavi.
Press TV aired video Tuesday of lawmakers chanting “Moussavi, Karrubi … execute them.”
Lawmakers also named former President Mohammad Khatami in some of the death chants.

Lawmakers also named former President Mohammad Khatami in some of the death chants.

The calls for the leaders’ executions come after a particularly deadly month in Iran. At least 66 people were executed in January, according to Iranian media reports. Most of the executions were reportedly carried out for drug offenses, although at least three involved political prisoners, a U.N. statement said.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay expressed alarm earlier this month over the number of executions.